A late-night confrontation in central Tel Aviv escalated into gunfire after an off-duty soldier mistakenly believed he was witnessing an abduction or terror incident, police said Wednesday.
The incident unfolded overnight on Rothschild Boulevard, where officers responding to reports of a shooting found a taxi with a shattered window and glass scattered nearby. No injuries were reported.
According to a preliminary investigation, the situation began as a dispute over payment between a 23-year-old tourist from Argentina and a 55-year-old taxi driver. The argument reportedly escalated into a physical altercation, during which the driver allegedly attempted to prevent the woman from leaving and, at one point, forced her back toward the vehicle.
A 26-year-old soldier from an elite unit, who was off duty at the time and passing through the area, said he believed the incident was either an attempted kidnapping or a terrorist attack. Acting on that assessment, he drew his weapon and fired at the taxi, striking one of its windows.
Investigation is ongoing, police say
All three individuals involved were detained and taken in for questioning at the Lev Tel Aviv police station. The firearm used in the shooting was confiscated, and authorities have since ruled out an abduction.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, with a focus on the sequence of events, the use of force, and the soldier’s judgment in opening fire in a civilian setting.